Method and System for Controlled Distribution of User Customized Profiles Over a Network
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for exchanging certain profile information over a network, the profile information being stored in a database and pertaining to a plurality of registered users, said method comprising the acts of:
- (a) registering a plurality of users;
(b) for each registered user, maintaining in the database at least one user profile, where each user profile comprises content information provided by the respective user, the content information including profile information about the user;
(c) customizing a layout of a first user profile in accordance with commands received from a first user exclusively associated with the first user profile;
(d) receiving a request, from a requesting user, designating a desire to exchange profile information with the first user, the requesting user also being one of the registered users;
(e) identifying, from the request, the first user;
(f) informing the first user, via the network, that the requesting user has requested to exchange profile information;
(g) receiving instructions from the first user, via the network, on whether to permit the exchange of profile information with the requesting user; and
(h) thereafter exchanging at least a portion of the profile information between the requesting user and the first user from the database, via the network, in accordance with the instructions such that the first user profile of the first user, when displayed to the requesting user, is displayed in accordance with the customized layout as specified by the first user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An information management and distribution system is disclosed. The information management and distribution system includes a client-side application and a server application that interact to facilitate the controlled exchange of contact information over a network. The client-side application can provide creation and design, rolodex, exchange, and update features. The information management and distribution system can also include a corporate administrator application. Still another aspect of the invention is that contact information can be distributed to registered users in a common format.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for exchanging certain profile information over a network, the profile information being stored in a database and pertaining to a plurality of registered users, said method comprising the acts of:
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(a) registering a plurality of users; (b) for each registered user, maintaining in the database at least one user profile, where each user profile comprises content information provided by the respective user, the content information including profile information about the user; (c) customizing a layout of a first user profile in accordance with commands received from a first user exclusively associated with the first user profile; (d) receiving a request, from a requesting user, designating a desire to exchange profile information with the first user, the requesting user also being one of the registered users; (e) identifying, from the request, the first user; (f) informing the first user, via the network, that the requesting user has requested to exchange profile information; (g) receiving instructions from the first user, via the network, on whether to permit the exchange of profile information with the requesting user; and (h) thereafter exchanging at least a portion of the profile information between the requesting user and the first user from the database, via the network, in accordance with the instructions such that the first user profile of the first user, when displayed to the requesting user, is displayed in accordance with the customized layout as specified by the first user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of providing access, over a network, to user profiles of a plurality of registered users, said method comprising:
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(a) receiving, from a first user via the network, user information; (b) configuring a user profile incorporating the user information, where the user profile is exclusively associated with the first user and is to be accessed by other users authorized by the first user to access the user profile; (c) receiving a format designated by the first user that defines a presentation of the user profile; (d) electronically storing in a database the received designated format in association with the user profile; and (e) providing, via the network, the user profile to other users authorized by the first user, in response to requests from the other users, to access the user profile and to the extent permitted by the first user such that the user profile is displayed to the other users in accordance with the designated format. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20)
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17. A method of compiling user information of registered users, comprising:
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(a) identifying a first format template to be utilized in presenting profile information of a first registered user; (b) receiving, over a network, a customization to the first format template defining how the profile information of the first registered user is to be presented relative to the first format template; (c) electronically storing in a data repository the customization to the first format template; (d) receiving, via the network, the profile information associated with the first registered user; and (e) electronically storing in the data repository, in response to receiving the profile information associated with the first registered user, the profile information relative to the first format template and the customization of the first format template. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification